Mikel Arteta demands Arsenal response after FA Cup shocker at Southampton
Artetas team trailed after Ross Stewarts goal in the opening period amid the lively crowd at St Marys, prior to Viktor Gyokeres entering as a substitute to score the levelling goal in the second half.
Without their injured England internationals Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal underperformed significantly, and Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes also exited early due to a knee problem.
The visitors were caught out in the 85th minute as Shea Charles slotted home Southamptons decisive strike from just outside the penalty area.
Arteta expressed frustration over his squads subdued showing, particularly their careless work at the back.
"We conceded the first goal in a very unusual way for us, the second one was from direct play as well," he remarked.
"We did not handle the long balls adequately. We simply allowed the ball to pass through us. Hard to justify, yet fair play to them.
"We held so much control near the box. We created two huge opportunities and had to make them count. However, if you commit the defensive mistakes we did today, it becomes tough to reach the semi-finals."
Arsenals dream of securing another FA Cup since their 2020 victory, their most recent significant honour, evaporated on the windy south coast.
The league frontrunners have endured blows to their quadruple and treble aspirations following a 2-0 reversal to Manchester City in the League Cup decider and this feeble surrender against Southampton.
"You must adjust to the conditions, the injuries. You need to cope with tough moments during the campaign. Now we must demonstrate our character," Arteta commented.
Arteta had likened the agony of the League Cup final defeat to "a ball of poison" in his gut, and this dismal FA Cup departure will doubtless leave the Spanish manager seeking relief.
High expectations
This marked Arsenals fifth loss of the season, their initial back-to-back defeats across competitions this term.
With scant opportunity to recover, they gear up for a Champions League quarter-final opener versus Sporting CP on Tuesday, then continue their pursuit of a first Premier League crown in over two decades.
The London club leads second-placed City by nine points in the championship contest.
"Throughout the season, teams face various phases. Some prove challenging for reasons beyond control. We now have two poor outcomes and must rally," Arteta stated.
"This has been the case all along, given the elevated expectations for the squad.
"No one will impose stricter standards than we do ourselves, guaranteed."
Southamptons notable win echoed their shock FA Cup final upset over Manchester United half a century ago, which they honoured by donning a yellow and blue strip for this latest underdog success as a Championship outfit.
"That is more of a narrative for the press," manager Tonda Eckert noted regarding parallels to Bobby Stokes and Southamptons 1976 legends.
"We delivered a solid effort today. It was a test, we anticipated a hard match. The latter period offered potential for change, and we responded effectively."
The Saints, fresh from overcoming Fulham in Marchs fifth round, return to Wembleys semi-finals for the first time since 2021.
Yet Eckerts team eyes another Wembley outing as they aim for Championship promotion via the play-offs, facing a key encounter with Wrexham on Tuesday.
"Confidence remains constant, never an issue. The truth is the match stays tight. It will be great to savour today, but we turn to Wrexham and league matters come morning," Eckert added.